Transporter Room One was crafted from the same blue-tinted duranium as much of the Brawley’s interior. One might think this was a styling choice. In fact, materials used to craft some California-class vessels were harmlessly defective. Their alloys faded from gray-silver to blue-steel over the years.

Five officers gathered onto the transporter pads, set to board the Morro Bay. Captain Mobra stood with PADD in hand. Alongside him was the ginger Caitain, Lt. M’Row. His one blue eye and other red eye stared ahead anxiously as he pondered the fate of the other ship.

Lt. Cmdr. M’kath stood with them. Like the others, he wore a holstered phaser. Next to him was Ensign Kim Jung-soo. Tension was visible behind her almond eyes as she braced herself for the grizzly scene ahead.

Ensign Kian Harol was last to step onto the transporter platform. His eyes were wide as his chest heaved visibly through labored breaths. Like M’Row, he carried a standard Ops tool kit and a tricorder.

“That’s everyone”, Captain Raku Mobra said as he looked from the arriving Trill to the portly Bolian on transporter duty. “The Morro Bay is expecting us.. Energize.”

The azure patina of the Brawley’s structure blended into the cerulean wash of the transporter as it disassembled each officer and re-constructed them aboard their sister ship.

The transporter room the crew found themselves in was, while devoid of bodies, still had a faint scent of blood and it felt almost like death itself was behind the crew. The lights were back on and running, but the USS Morro Bay had been seriously injured. Including its crew. Standing by the door was one Plimmitt Ruuvvon, arms folded.

“Glad to see you all got over here okay.” He walked forward, some of his uniform singed. “Captain Dowe is waiting for some of you nearby, I am requiring assistance in engineering.”

Ever so faintly in the distance, there was the sound of someone running. It was very hard to hear, unless one had phenomenal hearing.

M’Row’s left ear flicked towards the sound, but he paid it little mind. The party approached Plimmett as they studied the Bay.

“Lieutenant Moon will be bringing an Engineering team over soon. Mister M’Row and Mister Harol can go with you for now, though. They’re here to get an initial assessment.”

Captain Raku continued to speak, “If there’s any way we can help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Ensign Harol tried to stay focused, though it felt increasingly harder to do so. His hand clutched his toolkit tightly.

“I want to emphasize how important it is that you all get ready for the sight your about to see.” The voice of Jetta Dowe suddenly cut through the air as she walked into the room. Despite being younger than some of the lieutenants in the room, she held her ground phenomenally. “If you see someone’s body, you alert security and they’ll handle it. It’s not a pretty sight.”

The running got just a little bit closer. Plimmitt peaked out into the hallway.

Kian Harol’s eyes turned to look through Captain Dowe. They were cold. Lost. Empty. Her words only reminded him of Ensign Rho. It reminded him that he was supposed to be in her place. Now his friend was gone forever.

“Captain Dowe”, Mobra said as he led the group towards her. M’Row and Kian stepped closer to Plimmitt. “I wish we could have helped sooner.” Her words made him want to assess the situation.

“Have you secured your casualties? We can send more teams over to gather the wounded. Or have they already been triaged?” He hoped they’ve been transported to the Brawley by now.

If the injured casualties weren’t secured, Captain Raku would send search-and-rescue teams to assist.

“Triaged already and in the process.” She rubbed her tired eyes. “It’s what most of security is doing. If someone’s hidden, or..anything else..they’ll handle it.”

Before anyone else could finish, Runt came dashing into the room’s doorway, breathing heavily.

“..I..” *HUFF, HUFF* “..checked..every..” *HUFF, HUFF* transporter room..” The cat took a deep breath. “Is he here??”

M’Row had been caught off guard. “Hrelle… Runt!” The sandy-furred Caitain leapt into the air, eyelids pulled back tight over his wide eyes. “I wasn’t sure if you..”

He didn’t finish his sentence, finally releasing after holding back. M’Row embraced Hrelle in a one armed hug. “I’m so glad you made it through.”

Lt. JG M’Row was a senior at the Academy when Ensign M’Hark was a freshman. They supported each other through tough class schedules.

Runt was laughing like he hadn’t in quite some time, spinning around for a second before looking at M’Row.

“How are you?! Did you do okay during the blackout??” He made sure to quickly give a glance over the fellow Caitian, tail twirling around.

“I’m so glad you’re here, it’s—this is—“ Runt took a deep inhale, getting a big goofy smile on his face. “I’m just glad you’re here.”

“I’m okay.. I.. It’s just hard knowing so many people suffered.” M’Row’s ears flattened as his tail flicked anxiously. Several officers were lost under his command as the Assistant Chief of Operations. He tried not to think of their faces.

“How are you holding up?” His multicolored gaze looked over Runt.

Mobra turned to Jetta. “Commander Smythe should be starting towing procedures shorty. The Orions are spreading out to search for the Vaadwaur ship. If we can get out of this soup, we’ll tow you to Starbase 514.”

M’kath moved towards the door. The Klingon stood guard like a silent sentinel. He didn’t want to interrupt the two Captains as they spoke.

“I appreciate it more than you all will ever know.” Jetta started to walk out the door. Plimmitt, however, was giving a pretty nasty side eye to M’kath. “My ready room is not that far, Captain. I have a good herbal blend just getting off the kettle if you’re interested. Plimmitt, drop the face and show our guests where to go.”

The lizard sighed and crossed his arms as Jetta walked out.

The Klingon grinned at the lizard. Sharp, amber teeth shined menacingly in the light. His first combat was at the age of 14.

Mobra breathed what felt like a sigh of relief. “That sounds refreshing. Let’s fill each other in on what happened. Shall we let the Ops team do their assessment? They can even take Ensign Kim.”

The woman forced a pained smile at mention of her name.

“I’m quite alright with that—all of that.” Jetta walked out the door, motioning for the others to follow.

“I’m…okay!” Runt finally responded. His gaze was exhausted and uneven, but still had that same look of admiration he had all those years ago when he was a freshman. “Surviving. I think. My ear is uh. . .” he motioned to his left ear now missing the top of it.

The officers filed out of the room behind Jetta. They moved through the halls of Morro Bay, most of the Brawley’s crew quietly studying their surroundings.

M’Row released a worried “Mrrrul”, noise at the sight of his countryman’s lobe. “Wow, things got really up close and personal I see… I..”

The ginger Caitain felt a pain of guilt. The Brawley had been so relatively fortunate compared to others out there.

“It’ll be fine!” Runt gently put M’Row’s hand down and gave a sweeter smile. “I’m just happy you’re here.”

“All we can do is take each day at a time”, Kian said as he caught up to the cats. He seemed to recognize something in M’Row’s pensive expression.

M’Row tried to offer reassurance. “Say, I’m pretty sure you can get that patched up.”

The chatter distracted them from the moment. Even M’kath seemed more at ease amidst the socialization.

It felt so good to see another ship in this vast expanse of space.